California Bases Have Major Solar Power Potential

Four California military bases could generate solar power in an amount equivalent to the output of seven nuclear power plants -- 7,000 megawatts, according to a recent study released by the Department of Defense.

ICF International, the consultancy that conducted the study, looked at seven military bases in California and two in Nevada and found 96 percent of their total surface area unsuitable for solar development. The remaining four percent -- 25,000 acres -- however, is large enough to generate more than 30 times the electricity the California bases consume, or about 25 percent of the renewable energy the state mandates that utilities use by 2015.

The DoD is investigating development of solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable energy sources on its bases to reduce its $4 billion annual energy bill and gain some independence from the electricity grid.

For more information, see the press release.

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